Teams sign for 2012 Olympic camps

2012 judo agreement 'real boost'

Two Eastern European teams have signed up to use training facilities in Kent ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.

Belarus and Ukraine signed an agreement with Kent County Council to use the judo facilities at Tonbridge Judo Club and Tonbridge School.

Venues across the county have put forward bids to become training venues for the 2012 Olympics.

"It is just an amazing achievement to secure Ukraine and Belarus," said Chris Bowles from Tonbridge Judo Club.

"They are two of the strongest nations of Eastern Europe and are possibly going to be medal winners at the Olympic Games."

The Barbados Paralympic team has already agreed to use facilities in Kent, basing itself in Gillingham.

"Kent has always had it in mind that it would try and secure a number of pre-games training camps," said Hugh Robertson, shadow spokesman on the Olympics and Faversham and Mid-Kent MP.

"It has done extremely well and is regarded in my sphere as being well ahead of the pack."